Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On this issue, however, Fianna Fáil is looking more progressive than Fine Gael. The Government can thank the Minister, Deputy Ross, for dragging it down into a deep, dark hole in this judicial area. By God, Fine Gael will not be thankful.

If there is to be any reform in how we appoint judges, how in God's name can we justify going through a lengthy and difficult process of setting up a commission, being really fussy about who goes on it, after huge work eventually coming up with three names, then say we will not have any of them, and then pick someone else? We are not getting an explanation for this. Can the Minister, Deputy Ross, stand over the amendments that bring this about? I do not understand how he can do this. I do not expect the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, to answer for him but I put it out there that the Minister, Deputy Ross, is standing on wet sand. This does not make any sense. It is not how things should be done in the House. No Members will be thankful or will take any pleasure from saying, "We told you so." We were in this House as this legislation went through, and it will be shame on us because we have made a bollocks of it.

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